The backyard of their home was transformed into a dreamy pastel garden—fluttering paper butterflies, clusters of soft balloons, and a picnic-style setup under string lights swaying in the gentle breeze. It smelled of freshly baked cupcakes and summer flowers, and the hum of laughter and the soft babble of toddlers filled the air.
Will stood by the cake table, holding Lyra on his hip as she stared—wide-eyed and curious—at the two-tier cake shaped like a castle with edible flowers and shimmering sugar. Her curls were caught up with a tiny crown-shaped clip, and she looked every bit the princess she'd been born to be.
"She's two," Eliza said with disbelief, walking up beside them with a tray of mini quiches for the snack table.
Will grinned. "Two, and already a heartbreaker. Takes after me, clearly."
Eliza rolled her eyes. "Oh, please."
Lyra clapped her hands at the sight of her friend Naya toddling toward her. Will lowered her gently, and she darted off, squealing.
Will looked after her with pride glowing in his eyes. "Can't believe it's been two years."
"I know." Eliza leaned against him, her head on his shoulder. "Somehow it feels like a blink and a lifetime."
Guests wandered through—friends, a few family members, coworkers-turned-family. They all came bearing gifts and stories of how much Lyra had grown. Somewhere between the laughter and the games, Will found himself crouched beside Eliza, holding a juice pouch Lyra insisted he taste first.
She sat on a blanket, surrounded by wrapping paper, as Will took a sip and made a dramatic show of approving it. Lyra giggled uncontrollably. Eliza captured the moment with her phone, smiling through the lens.
After the party had quieted and dusk settled over the lawn, Eliza stretched out on the blanket, heels kicked off, and Lyra curled up beside her with a new stuffed cat.
Will sat beside them, arm wrapped loosely around Eliza's shoulders.
"She's getting more talkative," he said, running his fingers through Lyra's soft curls. "Sassy, too."
"She's going to give us hell once she starts forming full sentences," Eliza murmured with a tired laugh. "And you'll love every minute of it."
He smirked. "Naturally. I've been training for chaos."
There was a beat of quiet before Eliza added, "You know she really does take after you. The stubbornness. The curiosity. The way she lights up when she's got someone's full attention."
Will puffed up. "So basically, she's perfect."
Eliza gave him a warning look. "Just remember the deal. If we're having another one—at least one of them better like me more."
Will burst out laughing. "You're never going to let that go, huh?"
"Nope."
"Then we'd better have, what...three more?" he teased. "Just to improve your odds?"
Lyra stirred in her sleep, nuzzling into Eliza's arm, and she fell silent—content.
Eliza smiled down at her. "Maybe one more. Eventually."
Will leaned in and kissed her temple. "I'll take that as a win."
Later, they cleaned up in the soft quiet, Eliza humming as Will carried a sleeping Lyra upstairs. The house, full of laughter and signs of a day well-lived, felt warmer than ever. Two years of her—and they could already imagine the years ahead.